MONROVIA – Tensions within Liberia’s House of Representatives have escalated as the Majority Bloc, led by Representative Samuel G. Kogar, claims that operatives from Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s office are allegedly organizing a protest at the RLJ Resort. The protest, reportedly scheduled for Thursday, October 31, 2024, involves mobilizing student leaders and young people to disrupt a Majority Bloc meeting as part of a broader attempt to create confusion and derail the bloc’s efforts to unseat Koffa.
Rep. Kogar specifically identified Menipakei Domoi, Samuel Tweh, Israel Akeisaye, and others as key figures allegedly recruited by Koffa’s team to provoke disruptions. Kogar recounted Wednesday, October 30, 2024, failed negotiation with members from the Speaker’s camp, stating, “I arrived at the Capitol grounds for a meeting requested by some members of the Speaker’s side. Representatives Ellen Attoh Wreh and Collins urged me to reconsider our stance, but I stood firm on the demand for the Speaker’s resignation. They suggested I secure the backing of 49 members, but the meeting ultimately ended in deadlock.”
The Majority Bloc, an alliance of lawmakers pushing for Koffa’s resignation, accuses the Speaker of budget manipulation, spreading misinformation, and obstructing an audit by the General Auditing Commission (GAC). Recently, Representative Nyahn G. Flomo of Nimba County issued a statement refuting Koffa’s accusations against the bloc and defending the transparency of Liberia’s budget process. Flomo asserted that any budget changes require legislative approval, disputing Koffa’s claims of unauthorized fund reallocations.
Flomo’s statement also criticized Koffa’s failure to review quarterly budget performance reports, asserting that such oversight failures are inconsistent with Koffa’s experience. This lack of accountability, according to Flomo, has damaged Koffa’s credibility and has complicated his ability to lead effectively within the House. Furthermore, the Majority Bloc alleges that Koffa is stalling the GAC audit to avoid scrutiny, with Flomo challenging the Speaker to cooperate fully with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to demonstrate transparency.
Adding to the mounting pressure, Acting Chief Clerk James S. Tuobie Jr. sent a letter to Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah on October 29, 2024, acknowledging Fallah’s request for time to consult with legal advisors on the matter. Tuobie informed Fallah that he is expected to appear before the plenary on October 31, 2024, to address the ongoing legislative concerns.
As the session on October 31 draws near, allegations of an orchestrated protest at RLJ Resort have only intensified the standoff between Speaker Koffa and the Majority Bloc, with demands for transparency and accountability at the forefront of the dispute.
